Getting Started

Begin by creating a wiki using wikispaces.

1. Create an account at http://wikispaces.com
2. Create an name your space.
3. Click on the button for making your space ad free. It will give you the option of applying for a free educator membership. Choose that option.
4. You can change the way your space looks by clicking on the Manage Space icon in the upper left corner of the page. Choose "Look and Feel" to change the theme and colors.

Next, decide what you want your space to accomplish.

Here are some ways I use my class space. It is http://team8blue.wikispaces.com

• Provide resources for your students. Create a resource page and then add links, document files or other resources that you might like your students or their parents to access from home.
• Keep track of class activities and notes. Create a notes page and then add a short entry each day describing what you did in class. Have the students record their thoughts on class, type the class notes, interview students, add digital content like photos or files, or have a student type what is said during a review discussion. There are many ways to record what goes on for absent students and parents, or so that class memebers can review the lessons. Even in a one computer classroom, the wiki becomes a helpful resource to everyone. Here is an example from my class last year. Just one computer but lots of different kids took turns at the wheel and gave our space a unique community feel.
• Allow students to collaborate. Create class pages for groups of students in your class. Students use these pages to keep track of notes, write answers to warm-up or discussion questions, share their information during jigsaw activities, or record information needed by the group for collaborative projects or reports.

Monitor any changes to your space.

You can monitor the changes to your space through email or rss feeds.

• Monitor a page. Use the Notify Me tab at the top of a page to monitor that specific page.
• Monitor the entire space. You can monitor the changes that occur anywhere on the entire space by clicking on the Recent Changes Icon in the upper left corner of the page.
• RSS feeds can also be found under the Notify Me tab. These can be copied into an RSS reader like PageFlakes to keep you up to date on any changes that occur on a page.
• I know there is a way to monitor discussions but I can't figure it out right now!

Permission Slips
Check with your district about the need for permission slips or at least an information letter to send home to parents that explains what a wiki is and how you intend to use it in class. Example letters can be found here.